A new passenger terminal has opened at Velana International Airport in the Maldives on July 26, increasing capacity and expected to drive further growth in tourist arrivals to the island nation.
At the evening event, Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu welcomed guests, including representatives from funding countries Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, and described the development as a bold step forward in the country’s development.
“The new passenger terminal will not only serve as a catalyst for growth in tourism but also to its economy,” he said. Tourism accounts for nearly half of the country’s revenue and is one of its largest employers, with close to 200 resorts. The new terminal is expected to help the Maldives reach its 2025 target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals.
A country manager from a global DMC noted the improvement to capacity and service. “This airport expansion was needed if not overdue. I believe once all the airlines move it will provide the best experience guests can expect when they arrive,” the official, who declined to be named, told TTG Asia, adding that the old terminal during peak times was a challenge.
The new terminal, the largest building in the Maldives, can handle 7.5 million passengers annually, up from the previous 1.5 million. It was developed alongside a runway expansion to accommodate larger aircraft such as the A380.
Initially, only narrow-bodied aircraft will use the terminal, with wide-bodied aircraft expected to follow by September after facility audits are completed by airline operators. The facilities have been developed in line with standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association.
The terminal cost nearly US$585 million, with construction beginning in 2016. Funding came from concessional loans provided by Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and OPEC, along with contributions from the Maldivian government. Repayment is scheduled over 15 years.
Currently, 34 international airlines operate flights from 36 destinations. The new capacity is expected to attract additional carriers. The Maldives also operates the world’s largest seaplane network, with 86 aircraft and around 9,000 seaplane movements daily, in addition to 11,000 aircraft movements.
The terminal includes 12 aerobridges – absent from the previous terminal – six contact gates, an automated baggage system that can process 3,000 bags per hour, 90 check-in counters, and six self-service kiosks, with plans to expand to eight.
Its exterior design draws inspiration from the movement of ocean waves.
